Bill to lower age for learners’ permits clears Senate committee

Bill to lower age for learners’ permits clears Senate committee March 5, 2025

House Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy, R-Paducah, speaks on House Bill 15, a measure that would make 15-year-olds eligible for an instruction permit to drive a vehicle. With him is Brooks Young of Franklin County. A high-resolution photo can be found here.

FRANKFORT — A bill that would lower the age for youth to acquire an instruction permit for driving unanimously cleared the Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday.

House Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy, R-Paducah, said the proposed legislation would allow teenagers to get a permit once they turn 15. At age 16, they would be eligible to take a driver’s test for an intermediate permit if they have had at least six months of training.

Rudy said some young people might choose to delay or decline to get a driver’s license, but for many young people, these aren’t options.

“I think a lot of parents will say I’m better off getting an Uber or a Lyft for my kid than getting another car and taking out that insurance. And that’s fine if they want to do that. But those kids, particularly in rural Kentucky that don’t have those third-party ride platforms, I think this is going to be good experience for them,” he said.

Rudy brought Brooks Young, a 14-year-old boy from Franklin County, who testified that he’s excited about learning how to drive and become more independent.

“I’m here on behalf of every soon-to-be 15-year-old in Kentucky. House Bill 15 is an opportunity to provide significant benefits to our communities, families and businesses in every Kentucky county,” he said.

Many 15-year-olds are already balancing school work, part-time jobs, sports and activities. This demonstrates their ability to manage their time, Young said.

“Allowing them to begin driving under controlled, safe and structured conditions offers an opportunity to further develop these crucial life skills,” he said. “House Bill 15 would boost the local workforce. Teens who are able to drive will be more likely to access job opportunities and contribute to the economy.”

Allowing teens to get their permits at 15 would also provide more chances for the parents to guide, monitor and teach, Young added.

Rudy said the bill would maintain the intermediate license process for 16-year-olds. Drivers could apply for a full operator’s license at 17 if they have held an intermediate license for 180 days.

Sen. Greg Elkins, R-Winchester, said he is in favor of 15-year-old youth having the opportunity to drive, and allowing this will bring Kentucky in line with surrounding states. He also said he hopes the measure will help energize young people to want to get driver’s licenses.

“I too drove at 15 years old when I was growing up. I didn’t have any problems or any issues,” he said.

Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, D-Louisville, said she has two little boys, and the thought of them driving before they reach the age of 30 gives her heart palpitations.

“However, what I like about this bill is I like the added training requirements. But I do believe that allowing our young people more opportunities to learn will make them safer drivers when they are eventually out on their own,” she said.

Sen. Brandon J. Storm, R-London, thanked Rudy for the bill and spoke in favor of it.

“My son’s going to turn 16 next month, and I just wish we could have passed this last year so he would have a full year of experience driving,” he said.

Committee Chair Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, said it’s important to give the driver licensing regional offices help to deal with the influx of 15-year-olds who seek to drive.

“It will put an extra strain on our regional offices to get these permits out. We have legislation coming your way. Please watch for that and help us out on this,” he told Rudy.

Rudy responded that he and others have been in contact with staff of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

“We hear them loud and clearly. The regional driver’s license has been an issue that I think everybody acknowledges. I also think that’s going to work itself out in time, but we’re looking at ways we can help get through this period of backlog and hopefully take care of this,” he said.

The bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

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https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/publicservices/pio/release.html#HB15030525